Reviews Featuring ‘Gunbrella’ & ‘Curse Crackers’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

Hiya mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September nineteenth, 2023. In as we speak’s article, I’ve obtained 4 critiques of various size so that you can take a look at. We’re heading into the vacation launch season now, so that is most likely the way it’s going to be for a bit. I’ll compensate for my sleep after, don’t fear. At this time’s critiques embody Gunbrella, Curse Crackers, Escape Academy, and Isekai Rondo. After that we’ve obtained some new releases to take a look at, plus the lists of latest and expiring gross sales. Let’s get to it!

Opinions & Mini-Views

Gunbrella ($14.99)

I actually preferred this developer’s prior effort Gato Roboto, and I additionally take pleasure in Gunbrella. It has a intelligent gimmick merchandise that clearly knowledgeable the remainder of the sport design, and it absolutely commits to it. Most significantly, it’s simply enjoyable to play. Your titular Gunbrella has a cool set of actions related to it, and navigating the atmosphere and taking up enemies with it stays recent via the entire sport. I additionally love the noir theme, which provides the sport a robust sense of taste to go along with its well-crafted gameplay mechanics.

Actually, I can break down my points with Gunbrella into two issues. Initially, this sport has some bizarre bugs on the Change. I’ve had it crash greater than some other Change sport in current reminiscence. There have been not less than a few updates to this point, and my expertise with this developer tells me they are going to hold at it till it’s all mounted up. Simply bear in mind that should you’re taking part in it proper now on Change, you may run into the occasional crash. My different subject is that plenty of the facet content material felt tiresome in comparison with the primary route. A really enjoyable sport to complete, however not very enjoyable to complete 100% of. I additionally felt the story by no means fairly paid off the early highs it hits you with, which is disappointing as a result of it actually does come on sturdy.

Nonetheless, that’s not sufficient to tug down Gunbrella that a lot. This can be a very enjoyable action-platformer with wonderful mechanics and a few attention-grabbing twists that may at occasions have you ever laughing and different occasions have you ever reeling in shock. It has some bugs that the developer will most likely repair, and you’ll really feel some unrealized potential in varied facets as the sport runs its course. However should you come to it due to the thought of a sport constructed round an umbrella that can be a gun, I can promise you received’t probably be dissatisfied with what you get.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils ($15.00)

A really nice shock, that’s what Curse Crackers is. This stage-based platformer might undertake a Recreation Boy Shade aesthetic, however when it comes to playability it’s higher than any sport within the style I performed on that system. Sure, even the video games it’s paying homage to. You play as Belle, an acrobat who’s thrust into motion when her boyfriend is kidnapped. True to her career, she will be able to pull off plenty of swashbuckling strikes. With the assistance of her buddy Chime, she’s nearly impossibly agile. It’s completely ridiculous how shortly you can also make your approach via the phases when you’ve mastered Belle’s vary of abilities and know when and the place to use them.

And that’s a factor you’ll need to do for not less than one run via every stage, however you’ll additionally need to take it gradual generally too. There are many secrets and techniques to uncover within the sport, with collectibles, coin caches, minigames, and extra ready for individuals who can uncover them. The sport leans extra on the simpler facet of the problem curve, however if you wish to full it absolutely it can take some effort. I had a lot enjoyable with the fundamental controls and transfer set that I needed to maintain coming again till I had carried out all the things, which is among the nicer issues I can say a few platformer. I really like how every stage is designed as a daily problem, an exploratory one, and a velocity run course. Simply very well-designed total. I additionally loved the minigames outdoors of the common gameplay, a facet that most likely most strongly feels prefer it got here from the ol’ Recreation Boy Shade.

Other than some delicate unpleasantness with a number of the secrets and techniques that concerned juggling objects, I can’t actually discover something adverse to say about Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils. When you like platformers, choose it up. You’ll have a unbelievable time with it, I’m nearly sure. The mark of an excellent platformer comes from how good it feels to play, and that is among the many better of them.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Escape Academy: The Full Version ($29.99)

Wow, this sport has plenty of nice puzzles in it. I’ve performed plenty of escape room video video games, and I like to choose at them on my iPhone particularly. The puzzles on this sport and its included add-ons are actually top-notch, and I loved working all of them out. Apparently actual escape room creators had been concerned right here, and it reveals. Issues have a unique sensibility right here from the standard escape room online game, and it breathes some recent air into a really well-worn style. Escape Academy has lots to supply for its value, and the standard of what’s in right here is nice. It’s even higher should you play with another person, which you are able to do regionally or by way of on-line. Not an entire lot of motion occurring within the latter until you set it up prematurely with somebody, although.

That mentioned, I had plenty of efficiency points with this port. The framerate was ceaselessly flying in every single place as I appeared round areas, and it made me really feel a bit nauseous at occasions. The controls by no means fairly felt pretty much as good as I needed them to, and that was most likely associated to these framerate shenanigans. It’s not sufficient for me to inform you to not purchase it, nevertheless it’s sufficient of an issue that I’d counsel taking part in it on higher {hardware} if that possibility is offered to you.

It’s one thing Change homeowners have needed to get used to, particularly in recent times. Some actually good video games make their strategy to the platform, and that’s a cool factor. However the compromises can generally spoil the get together or not less than put a damper on it, and that’s principally how my expertise with Escape Academy went. Nice puzzles, good environment, a lot of enjoyable with a buddy, however the technical points have an apparent influence on the enjoyment of these good factors.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Isekai Rondo ($14.99)

We’re most likely previous the purpose the place critiques of most KEMCO/EXE-Create RPGs are crucial. Regardless of the various premises and sub-systems, the common degree of high quality and broad outlines of the gameplay are pretty related from one sport to the following. EXE-Create has a groove that works for it, and it largely sticks to it. Nobody’s anticipating masterpieces, however not less than you may rely on a sure type of expertise every time. I needed to verify this one out just because I used to be amused by the premise, which makes use of the now-overused isekai mild novel trope of getting the primary character be from our world however reincarnated right into a fantasy world after he dies. It’s a hilarious demise right here, for my part.

Sadly as soon as we get into the story correctly, it begins to color by the numbers within the common method. Every of the characters has their very own persona and set of abilities, however you’ve most likely seen them earlier than underneath different names and visages in earlier video games. The interactions really feel acquainted. The fight system is just like the again streets of the city I grew up in. As common for a conventional RPG from this pairing, Isekai Rondo is extremely straightforward as well. It’s wildly unbalanced and also you don’t even need to grind a bit to finish up overpowered even on the very best issue.

Finally, regardless of the lovable premise, Isekai Rondo is taking part in a really acquainted tune for anybody who has performed an EXE-Create RPG or two. Is that an issue? Nicely, probably not. Reliability, frequency, and affordability appear to be KEMCO’s trusted companions, and it should be working or else it wouldn’t carry on that path. A totally mediocre RPG, however possibly that’s what you’re after as we speak.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5

New Releases

Mortal Kombat 1 ($69.99)

Those that purchased the Premium Version of the sport had entry to Mortal Kombat 1 final week, however right here’s the model for everybody else. The benefit of the hole in time is that we now understand how this port of the sport is. It has some apparent and generally extreme visible downgrades in comparison with the variations on extra highly effective {hardware}, nevertheless it really does preserve a strong 60 FPS more often than not throughout gameplay. It looks like it’s nearly the most effective port the ageing Change {hardware} may have requested for, so should you’re prepared to simply accept some sacrifices to have the sport on the go, this won’t be a nasty selection. Professional-tip: it’s finest to run it off your system’s inner reminiscence if potential fairly than the SD card.

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails ($39.99)

Initially launched again in 2012 in Japan solely on the PSP, this Falcom action-RPG is lastly making its strategy to the West on Change and different platforms as we speak. As of late, Falcom is principally recognized for the Trails collection with the occasional Ys launch, and I suppose you may take into account this the overlap of these two specialties. There’s a little bit of platforming and loads of fight on Nayuta’s quest to save lots of not simply his world however many others as nicely. I’ll have a overview of this one quickly for you, however should you’ve discovered your self lacking the older period of Falcom video games I feel you’ll discover this fairly snug.

You Suck at Parking ($19.99)

Right here’s a enjoyable sport making its approach over to the Change. It seems to be like a racing sport, and in a roundabout way it’s, however your objective is to succeed in the top of every course and do a pleasant parking job within the spot or spots ready there. There are greater than 270 ranges within the sport, and there are world leaderboards out there so you may examine your efficiency to different gamers. When you can solely play single-player regionally, should you hop on-line you may jostle and bump up in opposition to as much as seven different gamers at a time. This sport is pretty well-liked on different platforms and I’m positive the Change viewers might be simply as welcoming to it.

Persha & the Magic Labyrinth -Arabian Nyaights- ($9.99)

Oh hey, I keep in mind this sport from final yr’s Tokyo Recreation Present. We did a hands-on video with it and all the things. It’s a reasonably enjoyable puzzle sport with some RPG components. The principle character, Persha, is on the board and it’s good to transfer her round to make matches of the items. Enemies can even seem, and there are treasures on the board to gather as nicely. There are 120 phases to play, and loads of secrets and techniques to uncover. The worth appears first rate sufficient, nevertheless it’s launching with a deep sale that makes it much more engaging.

Ugly ($19.99)

A puzzle platformer about exploring trauma? Nicely, that’s novel. Anyway, that is… a puzzle platformer about exploring trauma. It’s important to have a gimmick as of late to try this, and this one’s trick is that you would be able to make a mirror picture of your self by splitting the display screen. You then can use that second you to resolve varied puzzles and transfer ahead. It’s pretty well-liked over on Steam, so should you’re within the temper to assist this dude you’ll discover loads of good things to chew on on this sport.

Misplaced Crystals ($4.99)

Bah, it’s extra work to make a Bin Bunch part as we speak than it’s to only write about this. It’s one other Final Video games mountain climbing factor, however with some massive crystals to search out alongside the way in which to provide issues extra objective. That is one thing like the 20 th certainly one of these Final has launched. I assume folks should be shopping for them. Possibly you! Right here is yet another.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

We’ve obtained some gross sales from Fellow Traveler and Spike Chunsoft in as we speak’s record, and there may be lots to take pleasure in in each of these catalogs. Some fast suggestions from each: Citizen Sleeper, Beacon Pines, Paradise Killer, AI: The Somnium Recordsdata, and Danganronpa. And outdoors of these two, shoot-em-up followers would do nicely to seize Sophstar. There isn’t a lot within the outbox, however verify each lists and see what jumps out at you.

Choose New Video games on Sale

Little Misfortune ($5.99 from $19.99 till 9/23)
Star Wars Pinball ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/27)
Pinball FX Star Wars Thrill of the Hunt DLC ($4.99 from $9.99 till 9/27)
Bloo Child ($4.89 from $6.99 till 9/28)
Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart ($23.99 from $39.99 till 9/29)
LOL Shock! BBs Born to Journey ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/29)
Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova ($19.99 from $49.99 till 9/29)
PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adv. Bay ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/29)
DC’s Justice League Cosmic Chaos ($27.99 from $39.99 till 9/29)
Sakura Angels ($4.99 from $9.99 till 10/2)
Citizen Sleeper ($11.99 from $19.99 till 10/2)
Consider the Youngsters ($2.59 from $12.99 till 10/2)
Genesis Noir ($4.49 from $14.99 till 10/2)
The Church within the Darkness ($1.99 from $19.99 till 10/2)
Glitchhikers: The Areas Between ($7.79 from $12.99 till 10/2)

Neo Cab ($2.99 from $19.99 till 10/2)
No Longer House ($5.99 from $14.99 till 10/2)
Paradise Killer ($7.99 from $19.99 till 10/2)
Beacon Pines ($11.99 from $19.99 till 10/2)
Suzerain ($5.39 from $17.99 till 10/2)
In Different Waters ($4.49 from $14.99 till 10/2)
Framed Assortment ($1.99 from $9.99 till 10/2)
The Stillness of the Wind ($2.07 from $12.99 till 10/2)
Kraken Academy ($7.19 from $17.99 till 10/2)
Tremendous Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 till 10/2)
Helvetii ($11.04 from $16.99 till 10/3)
Nuclear Blaze ($9.74 from $14.99 till 10/3)
Sophstar ($6.49 from $12.99 till 10/3)
Arietta of Spirits ($4.99 from $19.99 till 10/3)
Earthlock ($4.49 from $29.99 till 10/4)
Yum Yum Cookstar ($11.99 from $29.99 till 10/8)

AI: The Somnium Recordsdata ($7.99 from $39.99 till 10/9)
AI: The Somnium Recordsdata nirvanA Initiative ($29.50 from $59.99 till 10/9)
Chaos;Head Noah ($12.49 from $24.99 till 10/9)
Chaos;Little one ($12.49 from $24.99 till 10/9)
Steins;Gate Elite ($11.99 from $59.99 till 10/9)
Steins;Gate 0 ($5.99 from $29.99 till 10/9)
Steins;Gate My Darling’s Embrace ($11.99 from $29.99 till 10/9)
Robotics;Notes Elite ($13.99 from $34.99 till 10/9)
Robotics;Notes DaSH ($13.99 from $34.99 till 10/9)
Re: Zero SLiAW ($11.99 from $59.99 till 10/9)
Yu-No: A Lady Who Chants Love… ($14.99 from $49.99 till 10/9)
Shiren the Wanderer: TToF & tDoF ($7.99 from $19.99 till 10/9)
Danganronpa ($4.49 from $14.99 till 10/9)
Danganronpa 2 ($4.49 from $14.99 till 10/9)

Danganronpa V3 ($8.99 from $29.99 till 10/9)
Danganronpa S ($5.99 from $19.99 till 10/9)
Katana Kami: A WotS Story ($5.99 from $29.99 till 10/9)
Made in Abyss: Binary Star FiD ($29.99 from $59.99 till 10/9)
PixelJunk Monsters 2 ($2.24 from $14.99 till 10/9)
PixelJunk Monsters 2 Deluxe ($3.29 from $21.99 till 10/9)
Qube Qross ($3.49 from $6.99 till 10/9)
LIMBO ($1.99 from $9.99 till 10/9)
INSIDE ($1.99 from $19.99 till 10/9)
Blade of Darkness ($3.99 from $14.99 till 10/9)
Analysis and Destroy ($8.99 from $19.99 till 10/9)
Health Circuit ($34.99 from $49.99 till 10/9)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, September twentieth

Cat Quest II ($4.94 from $14.99 till 9/20)
Chasm: The Rift ($9.99 from $19.99 till 9/20)
CyberHive ($2.99 from $9.99 till 9/20)
Lofi Ping Pong ($1.99 from $4.99 till 9/20)
The StoryTale ($1.99 from $4.99 till 9/20)

That’s all for as we speak, associates. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, some information, and maybe some critiques if our pal Mikhail comes via. I’m already very drained and the week has barely begun. Nicely, that’s the way it goes generally. Nothing to it however via it. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!